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'Taia o moko hai hoa matenga mau' ('Have your face adorned with tattoo, to be your companion until death').
'You may lose your most valuable property through misfortune in various ways; you may lose your house, your patu pounamu (greenstone club), your wife, and other treasures - you may be robbed of all your most-prized possessions; but of your moko (customary Maori tattoo) you cannot be deprived except by death; it will be your ornament and your companion until your last day.'
Netana Rakuraku (Whakaari), of Waimana, a chief of Ngai Tama and Ngai Tuhoe
This uhi(tattooing instrument) isknown as auhi matarau (many-pointed tattooing instrument) because of its comb-like blade with multiple points. It was used to perforate the skin and insert pigment, and was especially useful for shading moko.
Ta moko
Ta moko, the art ofcustomary Maori tattoo and scarification is probably one of the most famous of all the customary Maori art forms. It has experienced a resurgence of scholarship, practice, and popularity among Maori and non-Maori wearers alike.It was on the brink of extinction for many years,but is now highly visible on the bodies of wearers from many different communities and is a proud expression of Maori identity.
However, the traditional practice of moko that used uhi has not experienced the same level of restoration, with many practitioners and wearers opting for the less intimidating tattoo machine and needle.